Kim Zolciak-Biermann tries to explain racism comment. Do you buy her 'apology'?

Suzy Byrne
·Editor, Yahoo Entertainment


Kim Zolciak-Biermann isn’t a racist … she just kinda came off like one on TV.

That’s pretty much the excuse she’s peddling after her Real Housewives of Atlanta castmates and Bravo host Andy Cohen called out some of her words and behavior as racist — stemming from roach-gate — on Sunday’s final reunion show. However, she exacerbated the situation on the show by remarking that “racism wasn’t f***ing all that real.” So on Thursday, she apologized for making “a comment that confused and offended people.” But she also played the blame game.

During the last RHOA Reunion episode, I made a comment that confused and offended people. I sincerely apologize. Edited out of context, I understand why my remark angered people. Racism is a sad reality in the United States. It has been prevalent throughout our country's history. Let me be very clear, I do NOT support, tolerate or put up with any form of racism, hate or other discrimination. My love for ALL people runs deep – I am open to all and always have been. I was heartbroken when I watched the last few minutes of the episode and saw how my words were taken out of context. My comment that seemingly “racism didn’t exist 10 years ago” was made as part of a larger, emotional 45-minute conversation about how, sadly, social media has become a hub for hate. Immediately following my confusing comment, I also said that "it's not as real as it is now" referring to the power of social media. But those remarks didn’t make the show. I believe that social media has made a centuries-old issue more real. Before social media, the public simply observed the news. Now, the public actively participates and has an opportunity to take action – in real time. But this is a double edged sword. Now, when false accusations are made, they are amplified by online platforms regardless of their merit. This wasn’t the case 10 years ago when I started on RHOA. I truly pray that the people wishing horrible things on others, and on me, channel that energy into something positive. Our world would be a much better place if you do. I am committed to making this world a better place to live. I will continue to learn from, and be open to, ALL people.

A post shared by Kim Zolciak-Biermann (@kimzolciakbiermann) on Apr 26, 2018 at 4:25am PDT

Although Zolciak-Biermann said “I sincerely apologize,” she also said that her comments were taken out of context due to editing. She said her comment that “racism didn’t exist 10 years ago” was part of a 45-minute conversation that got trimmed down to a dramatic moment. She noted that during the conversation, she also said racism was “not as real as it is now,” but that this part was omitted from the show.

In addition to blaming editing, Zolciak-Biermann blamed social media again, saying the “false accusations” against her were “amplified” on Twitter and other platforms.

Zolciak-Biermann tried to make it clear that she doesn’t tolerate racism — or any other discrimination. “My love for ALL people runs deep,” she noted. “I am open to all and always have been.”

During the special, the topic of the roaches that Zolciak-Biermann claimed she saw at NeNe Leakes’s home came up, and Cohen suggested that there was a racist overtone in the way she talked about it. (She called Leakes’s home a “roach nest” — a term many of the women said they felt was racist for its implication of impoverished black women — and kept a video of the critters.) “Racism?” Zolciak-Biermann shot back, adding, “You’re reaching.”

Kim Zolciak-Biermann visits the set of <em>Watch What Happens Live.</em> (Photo: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Kim Zolciak-Biermann visits the set of Watch What Happens Live. (Photo: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

After taping concluded, Zolciak-Biermann called Cohen into the restroom, and she criticized how the episode played out. She again denied that she’s racist — but then suggested that racism was only something that was magnified because of social media. “This whole racism thing in this day and age is bulls***,” she said. “Every one of those motherf***ers on that couch owe this world a f***ing apology for this racism s***. They already tried to claim that s*** long ago… Nobody bought into it then because the social media wasn’t there and racism wasn’t f***ing all that real. And you know it.”

All week Zolciak-Biermann has been slammed for her remarks — and not just the racism ones. DJ Tracy Young, who dated her, called her a “liar” and “homophobic” after their past relationship was brought up by Kandi Burruss on the show.

This could be the last of Zolciak-Biermann’s drama with NeNe and the gang — well, on the show anyway. She announced she’s leaving the show. But we know that this isn’t the end. It’s never the end of Kim and the drama.


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